Chapter 249: Your Humble Servants Concur
As soon as Bai Yu finished speaking, everyone present frowned, as they somewhat didn't understand how they could assist Heaven Dou through the method of mercenaries.
Bai Yu ignored the expressions of those around him and continued, "The so-called mercenaries mean that for whatever amount of money you offer, we will provide the corresponding number of people. As long as you can afford the cost, Spirit Hall can provide support, from Spirit Master to Titled Douluo."
"Furthermore, if you are ruthless enough to empty your coffers, it's not impossible for Spirit Hall to help Heaven Dou annihilate Star Luo."
"Hiss!"
After Bai Yu finished speaking, a collective gasp swept through the hall. They hadn't expected Bai Yu to be so bold in his words.
Annihilate Star Luo? Was Spirit Hall crazy? What good would annihilating Star Luo do for Spirit Hall?
However, putting that aside, regardless of whether Spirit Hall was crazy, Bai Yu's proposal was quite tempting.
After all, once Star Luo was destroyed, Heaven Dou would be the only Empire on the continent, and those in power would gain numerous benefits.
"Your Highness, the Saint Child, we do understand what you mean by mercenaries."
"However, please clarify, Your Highness, the Saint Child, does your Spirit Hall only intend to help Heaven Dou in this way, or can Star Luo also borrow people from you?"
"If it's the same for both, then it would be a losing proposition."
A Heaven Dou minister frowned, his tone slightly hesitant, as he questioned Bai Yu.
Bai Yu waved his hand, signaling the Heaven Dou people to relax, then chuckled lightly and said,
"Haha, that's not the case. Spirit Hall originally had no intention of getting involved. Now, assisting in this manner is simply out of respect for my good relationship with Brother Qinghe."
"Besides, you in Heaven Dou and Star Luo are not fools. If Spirit Hall truly made such a decision, you and Star Luo would weigh the options and might even shake hands and make peace."
"After all, Spirit Hall profiting greatly from war is something neither of your two nations would want to see. In that case, wouldn't it align perfectly with your wishes?"
A flicker of embarrassment crossed the Heaven Dou minister's eyes, then immediately vanished. He raised a cup of wine and chuckled, toasting Bai Yu.
Reputation means nothing in the face of profit; what does it matter if it's trampled underfoot?
He had now realized that Bai Yu was right: if Spirit Hall tried to profit from both sides, it would end up profiting from neither.
Bai Yu drank a cup of wine, placed the cup on the table, then stood up and said,
"Everyone, I have said what needed to be said. As for your specific plans, that's up to you. Brother Qinghe, Bai Yu takes his leave!"
'Xue Qinghe' saw Bai Yu about to leave, also stood up, and cupped his fists towards Bai Yu.
After Bai Yu left the main hall, 'Xue Qinghe' looked at the Heaven Dou ministers, tapped the table with his finger, and said in a deep voice,
"My dear ministers, speak your minds. What should our Heaven Dou plan be?"
"Should we pay Spirit Hall to enter the fray and counterattack Star Luo, or should we find a way to negotiate peace with Star Luo and end the war?"
As soon as 'Xue Qinghe' finished speaking, Heaven Dou Grand Marshal Ge Long stood up and cupped his hands towards 'Xue Qinghe'.
"Your Majesty, peace talks are not an option. Star Luo, taking advantage of Your Majesty's recent ascension, sent troops to attack Heaven Dou, truly revealing their wolfish ambitions."
"If we negotiate peace now, Star Luo will surely demand exorbitant terms. Not only will our Heaven Dou lose face, but it will also leave the continent with an impression of weakness and vulnerability."
"It would be better to use this money on Spirit Hall. Since Spirit Hall dares to act as mercenaries, they will certainly not leave themselves open to criticism and should wholeheartedly assist Heaven Dou in attacking Star Luo."
Hearing Ge Long's words, 'Xue Qinghe' did not respond but turned to look at the others, signaling them to express their opinions.
After all, hiring Spirit Hall required money, and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family alone could not afford such a sum.
They would have to rely on these ministers to contact nobles from various regions, so everyone could contribute.
A leading minister pondered for a moment, then stood up, bowed, and said,
"Your Majesty, what are your intentions? If we hire Spirit Hall, to what extent do you wish to fight?"
"Furthermore, that Saint Child Bai Yu just now did not mention the hiring fees. Does Your Majesty know how much it will cost to hire Spirit Hall?"
A subtle glint flashed in 'Xue Qinghe's eyes, then he nodded and sighed lightly.
"My dear minister asks me to what extent I wish to fight. To be honest, I want to directly annihilate Star Luo and make Heaven Dou the only Empire on the continent."
"After all, such an accomplishment is the wish of my Xue family for generations. If it can be achieved in my hands, it would truly be a fortunate event!"
"However, the cost of hiring Spirit Hall is indeed an issue. Brother Bai previously mentioned it to me in a letter, saying it's not too high, nor too low."
"If we only need to repel Star Luo, the cost is only one-fifth of Heaven Dou's annual tax revenue. One could say that this is entirely Brother Bai giving me face, asking for just a little."
"But if we want to annihilate Star Luo and ignite a full-scale continental war, then it's no longer a matter of 'face'."
"If Spirit Hall is to participate in a war of that magnitude and guarantee Heaven Dou's victory, then not only will the national treasury and the Imperial Family be emptied,"
"Even two-thirds of the civilian wealth would likely need to be taken out."
After 'Xue Qinghe' finished speaking, everyone in the hall had flickering eyes.
They all understood what 'Xue Qinghe' had said, and at the same time, they secretly thought to themselves why their Emperor had never seemed anxious.
It turned out that repelling Star Luo was truly simple. That Spirit Hall Saint Child had already given his assurance, finding a casual excuse to silence the major powers on the continent, taking a bit from Heaven Dou, and then stepping in to help.
But human hearts are greedy. Since the attack from Star Luo was not a concern, and Spirit Hall had opened a door to help Heaven Dou,
Why not seize this opportunity and directly annihilate Star Luo?
Although emptying their wallets would indeed be painful, once their territory expanded, the benefits they could gain would more than double!
Furthermore, this time it was because the Spirit Hall Saint Child had a good relationship with their Emperor, which led to this mercenary arrangement, indirectly helping.
What about next time? Such relationships are also limited. If they missed this opportunity, there might not be another one!
The ministers exchanged glances, seeing the desire in each other's eyes.
"Your Majesty, with such powerful assistance from Spirit Hall this time, the timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony are all with our Heaven Dou. To fail to seize what Heaven provides would lead to misfortune!"
"We implore Your Majesty to issue an order to collect the wealth of the realm to assist the Empire in annihilating Star Luo. We, your humble servants, will also do our utmost to contact kings and nobles from various regions to lend Your Majesty a helping hand!"
The leading minister stood up and bowed, beginning to persuade 'Xue Qinghe'. The others were not to be outdone and all stood up.
"Your Majesty, your humble servants concur!"